Tiago Neto1,2, Sandro R Freitas1,3, Ricardo J Andrade4, João R Vaz3,5,6, Bruno Mendes1,3, Telmo Firmino1,3,7, Paula M Bruno1, Antoine Nordez4, Raúl Oliveira1. 1. Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Lisbon, Portugal. 2. LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Department of Physiotherapy, Differdange, Luxembourg. 3. Human Performance Department. Benfica Laboratory, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon, Portugal. 4. University of Nantes, Laboratory of Movement, Interactions, and Performance, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Nantes, France. 5. Universidade Europeia, Laureate International Universities, Lisbon, Portugal. 6. Department of Biomechanics and Center for Human Movement Variability, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. 7. Escola Superior de Saúde do Alcoitão, Alcabideche, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether sciatic nerve stiffness is altered in people with chronic low back-related leg pain by using shear wave elastography. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the sciatic nerve shear wave velocity (ie, an index of stiffness) was measured in both legs of 16 participants (8 with unilateral low back-related leg pain and 8 healthy controls). Sciatic stiffness was measured during a passive ankle dorsiflexion motion performed at 2°/s in an isokinetic dynamometer. The ankle range of motion and passive torque, as well as muscle activity, were also measured. RESULTS: In people with low back-related leg pain, the affected limb showed higher sciatic nerve stiffness compared to the unaffected limb (+11.3%; P = .05). However, no differences were observed between the unaffected limb of people with low back-related leg pain and the healthy controls (P = .34). CONCLUSIONS: People with chronic low back-related leg pain have interlimb differences in sciatic nerve stiffness, as measured by a safe and noninvasive method: shear wave elastography. The changes found may be related to alterations in nerve mechanical properties, which should be confirmed by future investigations.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether sciatic nerve stiffness is altered in people with chronic low back-related leg pain by using shear wave elastography. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the sciatic nerve shear wave velocity (ie, an index of stiffness) was measured in both legs of 16 participants (8 with unilateral low back-related leg pain and 8 healthy controls). Sciatic stiffness was measured during a passive ankle dorsiflexion motion performed at 2°/s in an isokinetic dynamometer. The ankle range of motion and passive torque, as well as muscle activity, were also measured. RESULTS: In people with low back-related leg pain, the affected limb showed higher sciatic nerve stiffness compared to the unaffected limb (+11.3%; P = .05). However, no differences were observed between the unaffected limb of people with low back-related leg pain and the healthy controls (P = .34). CONCLUSIONS:People with chronic low back-related leg pain have interlimb differences in sciatic nerve stiffness, as measured by a safe and noninvasive method: shear wave elastography. The changes found may be related to alterations in nerve mechanical properties, which should be confirmed by future investigations.